By Michael Brown

The highly-rated midfielder is being lined up as a replacement for Marouane Fellaini, should the Belgian join Manchester United, but the Latics owner will not give him up easily

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed that he has rejected a bid, reported to be in the region of £10 million, from Everton for midfielder James McCarthy.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder has been linked with a move to Goodison Park as a potential replacement for Marouane Fellaini, who is likely to be targeted once more by Manchester United as Monday's 23:00BST transfer deadline edges closer.

But Whelan has rebuffed the Toffees' approach, saying that the offer does not meet his valuation of the 22-year-old.

"We rejected the bid because it's still not near the value we'd expect," he is reported as saying by BBC Sport.

"If we have to sell James then we will have to bring someone in and that's not easy, I really hope he stays with us. Everyone seems to leave the business until the last minute."

But Whelan did admit that should McCarthy express a desire to move back to the Premier League, he will not block his exit.

"I hope James stays with us, but I’ve said I won’t stay in his way,” he added.

"We are obviously waiting to see what happens at Everton, which is a difficult position to be in."

Whelan also confirmed that he would not be selling young attacker Callum McManaman, who has been the subject of reported interest from Crystal Palace.

"Callum McManaman is not leaving Wigan," he continued.

"He is a great talent with a bright future and we think we can develop him. He’s going nowhere."